Seven years later and amid an ongoing inquiry, the cry for justice goes on as there have been no criminal convictions – and while residents from Grenfell Tower have been re-homed they aren't happy with where they are
Seven years on from the Grenfell Tower block fire, the public enquiry into the disaster continues at an excruciating pace.
Speaking to the Mirror last year, on the sixth anniversary of the Grenfell fire where 72 people were confirmed dead, Edward Daffarn - who lived on the 16th floor of the tower block - spoke of the action he would like to see taken. “We need justice, we need to hear the clink of handcuffs. We need the perpetrators [responsible for the issues that led to the fire] in court and in jail,” he said.
In early 2023, ITV reported that a High Court settlement of 150 million was reached, with nearly 900 people whose lives were “ruined or changed” by the tragedy. The broadcaster reported that because this case was a civil claim it would “have no impact on the public inquiry report into the fire or any potential future criminal charges.”
Why has the Grenfell Inquiry taken this long to be published?
The Grenfell inquiry was established under the 2005 Inquiries Act which was introduced by Tony Blair’s Labour government phase one focused on the factual narrative of the events that night and was published in October 2019. It concluded the tower's cladding did not comply with building regulations and was the "principal" reason for the rapid and "profoundly shocking" spread of the blaze.
In November 2023, the Inquiry cited rule 13 as part of the delay. They explained: “Under rule 13 of the Inquiry Rules the Inquiry is required to write to those who may be subject to criticism, explaining the basis on which such criticism may be made.” The Grenfell Inquiry has said its final report will be published thisAutumn, on September 4.
Why have no criminal charges been filed?
Inquiries can’t conclude criminal or civil guilt. However, shortly after the fire, the Metropolitan Police and Crown Prosecution Service launched a criminal investigation into the disaster. In 2019, the Met Police and Crown Prosecution Service said no charges would be announced until late 2026 at the earliest due to the "complexity" of the inquiry.
However, in May 2024, the Guardian reported that the criminal investigation would take until 2027 – by then a decade will have passed since the Grenfell fire – and no charges will be announced until this date.
What impact has the Grenfell disaster made on those living in high-rise buildings across the UK?
It’s difficult to measure the progress or change. In 2022, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities concluded there were still over 300 high-rise buildings with incomplete unsafe cladding removal works, five years after the Grenfell Tower fire. Construction publication PBC Today reported on the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 legislation which implemented most of the improvements made by the Grenfell Tower inquiry in phase one.
In June 2022, the BBC reported: “The government says that as of 30 November last year [2021], 407 buildings had cladding removed with a further 70 still with cladding (although work has already started on 41 of these).” These figures only considered buildings 18m tall, with the type of cladding used on Grenfell Tower.
Why were the complaints of the Grenfell residents not heard?
This second phase of the inquiry is to investigate how the tower block came to be in a condition that allowed the fire to spread and will probably shed more light on the complaints from the residents in the tower block. Before the fire, the Grenfell Action Group raised 10 separate queries about the fire safety in the building and ongoing refurbishment.
In a post to the group blog in 2016, they wrote: "It is a truly terrifying thought but the Grenfell Action Group firmly believe that only a catastrophic event will expose the ineptitude and incompetence of our landlord, the KCTMO, and bring an end to the dangerous living conditions and neglect of health and safety legislation that they inflict upon their tenants and leaseholders."
The blog also outlines the complaints the group made to the landlord KCTMO and Kensington and Chelsea council and being served with a legal warning by the council in relation to "direct accusations about unfounded criminal action.” The group claimed several of their complaints around fire safety were not investigated.
What about the residents of Grenfell Tower?
More than 200 homes were lost in the Grenfell disaster, in the aftermath many were left homeless and in temporary accommodation. Whilst most residents have been rehomed, as of February 2024 up to 40 households asked to be moved again.
Earlier this year, London News Online confirmed new social housing for rent near the Grenfell Tower would open however those who had been impacted by the fire and looking to move again were not guaranteed a spot, they would only be placed on the waiting list. This year, like the years before, people will take part in a silent walk by Grenfell Tower in remembrance.
